UPDATED: Villanova lab experiment sends 1 to hospital

By Journal Register News Service

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

(Updated at 5:55 p.m.) RADNOR – A routine science experiment in Mendel Hall at Villanova University resulted in a chemical reaction that sent one person to Bryn Mawr hospital, officials said. Eight others are in decontamination, according to Radnor Township Police Chief William Colarulo.

Police say the lab experiment, which had previously been performed several times, contained three unnamed chemicals. During the experiment, one student felt ill and began to have an asthma attack and a nose bleed. That student was taken to Bryn Mawr Hospital, police said.

School spokesman Jonathan Gust says the incident occurred about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in a lab on the third floor of Mendel Hall. The building was evacuated.

Gust could not offer details of what happened or what materials were involved in the experiment.

Eight others are going through a decontamination process at the school and will be taken to an area hosptial after the process is completed.

Police, fire and other emergency officials responded to the building, which remained closed late Tuesday afternoon.

At least nine EMS units responded to the scene including Narberth Ambulance. Radnor Fire Company assisted at the scene.

At least three people were treated on the scene by EMS.

According to a university professor, fire alarms sounded in the school’s Mendel Hall science building at approximately 2:30 p.m. and everyone inside was evacuated.